Michael Muirhead, the CEO of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), has said that negotiations are on track for staging the inaugural Caribbean Premier League, a tournament which could replace the regional T20 competition in January next year.

"The negotiations are going on to bring on stream the Caribbean Premier League, and this would be a franchise tournament," Muirhead said. "The West Indies Cricket Board is negotiating the rights, and after this it will be handed to a private promoter who has shown interest in staging the league."

As it stands now, seven Caribbean teams will play a regional T20 which begins on January 6 in Trinidad and Tobago. Muirhead maintained that the commercial league may replace the regional tournament.

"It might mean that the regional T20 cricket tournament that is now being played might have to be done away with. This would mean that the franchise team would now go on to represent the region at the Champions League tournament on an annual basis," he said.

Muirhead also said that during his tenure, he hoped to resolve differences between the WICB and the West Indies Players' Association (WIPA).

"I think with the temperament that I possess, I will be able to bring the parties closer together. Issues with WIPA don't have to be contentious, and at the end of my tenure I think WIPA would become a less contentious issue," he said.

"Both bodies have to work together to get things right, and it will take compromise from both ends. We will sit and negotiate fairly while achieving our own individual ideals, and I am confident things would work out."

I don't understand... Does this mean that there will be teams like the Montego Bay Marauders and the Bridgetown Bombers and the San Fernando Saints? Will we be seeing Tendichar and Malinga and KP playing for Caribbean teams? Will there be massive sponsorship of teams by big Indian and American corporations? Also, will national teams have any significance at all after that? It looks like cricket has succumbed to big money, so it becomes meaningless. This brave new cricket world will hold no interest for me personally.

POSTED BY
SeanWI
on | November 10, 2012, 1:14 GMT

I am a Trini but I really can't see Trinidad and Tobago representing the WI in Champions League. This CPL will help the WI be better represented in Champions League. Good luck to them.

POSTED BY
ozone8237
on | November 10, 2012, 0:50 GMT

Correction to my last message: Its CPL and not CBL for Caribbean Premier League.......Again Good luck to them

POSTED BY
ozone8237
on | November 10, 2012, 0:08 GMT

VERY INTERESTING AND GOOD LUCK TO CBL- THE CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE. In fact there can be any number of Leagues and that will not only bring more local talent out but will help the struggling Top notch players to get financial security if they are dropped from national teams and will also help them regain their form and fittness by participating in competitive tournaments.
The revenues it will generate will help the national Boards to strengthen their structure, build more grounds and renovate the existing ones. Financially Secured boards will be able to pay more to their Players and promote the domestic cricket in a better way.
THEN cricket will be played for the fans only and will not be politically influenced and restrict the participation of talented players just because of political reasons.
Again Good Luck to all emerging Leagues like BPL, SLPL, PPL and now CBL..

POSTED BY
on | November 9, 2012, 22:39 GMT

wow looks like every country is having their own league

POSTED BY
on | November 8, 2012, 17:50 GMT

This could potentially weaken the team that represent the region. Since there may be stipulations where members of the current West Indies team aren't allowed to play together or chosen by opposing franchises. If there is opportunity to bring in International players there is definitely going to be a financial issue. Leave it as it is currently to get exposure for the young talent in the region to grow the standard of the cricket.

POSTED BY
gtzshotta
on | November 8, 2012, 6:07 GMT

Since guys like Bravo/Pollard/Narine are not able to play for their club in the Champions League, they should not even play for T&T in a Caribbean T20.

Now for their to be something like in the Caribbean, there needs to be more money, a lot more which is why I don't see any major change from the current format.

POSTED BY
on | November 8, 2012, 2:11 GMT

Looks like it is a must for every cricket board in each of the cricket playing countries after seeing the success of the IPL however I feel that too much of T20 may kill the sport itself. Therefore the T20 leagues in different countries should be spread in such a way that all leading players may be able to participate and at the same time keeping the interest going for the viewers since it is after all television advertisement revenue which plays a role on the revenue. I wish them all success.

POSTED BY
The_Ashes
on | November 7, 2012, 22:30 GMT

I even heard countries like USA and Canada plan to have 1 1 day ;)

POSTED BY
The_Ashes
on | November 7, 2012, 22:30 GMT

@Zad Khan:- You'd be surprised just how many ODI fans there are. Also the 50 over World Cup makes Cricket a great amount of revenue so I doubt that will ever happen
ever :P

POSTED BY
on | November 10, 2012, 6:11 GMT

I don't understand... Does this mean that there will be teams like the Montego Bay Marauders and the Bridgetown Bombers and the San Fernando Saints? Will we be seeing Tendichar and Malinga and KP playing for Caribbean teams? Will there be massive sponsorship of teams by big Indian and American corporations? Also, will national teams have any significance at all after that? It looks like cricket has succumbed to big money, so it becomes meaningless. This brave new cricket world will hold no interest for me personally.

POSTED BY
SeanWI
on | November 10, 2012, 1:14 GMT

I am a Trini but I really can't see Trinidad and Tobago representing the WI in Champions League. This CPL will help the WI be better represented in Champions League. Good luck to them.

POSTED BY
ozone8237
on | November 10, 2012, 0:50 GMT

Correction to my last message: Its CPL and not CBL for Caribbean Premier League.......Again Good luck to them

POSTED BY
ozone8237
on | November 10, 2012, 0:08 GMT

VERY INTERESTING AND GOOD LUCK TO CBL- THE CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE. In fact there can be any number of Leagues and that will not only bring more local talent out but will help the struggling Top notch players to get financial security if they are dropped from national teams and will also help them regain their form and fittness by participating in competitive tournaments.
The revenues it will generate will help the national Boards to strengthen their structure, build more grounds and renovate the existing ones. Financially Secured boards will be able to pay more to their Players and promote the domestic cricket in a better way.
THEN cricket will be played for the fans only and will not be politically influenced and restrict the participation of talented players just because of political reasons.
Again Good Luck to all emerging Leagues like BPL, SLPL, PPL and now CBL..

POSTED BY
on | November 9, 2012, 22:39 GMT

wow looks like every country is having their own league

POSTED BY
on | November 8, 2012, 17:50 GMT

This could potentially weaken the team that represent the region. Since there may be stipulations where members of the current West Indies team aren't allowed to play together or chosen by opposing franchises. If there is opportunity to bring in International players there is definitely going to be a financial issue. Leave it as it is currently to get exposure for the young talent in the region to grow the standard of the cricket.

POSTED BY
gtzshotta
on | November 8, 2012, 6:07 GMT

Since guys like Bravo/Pollard/Narine are not able to play for their club in the Champions League, they should not even play for T&T in a Caribbean T20.

Now for their to be something like in the Caribbean, there needs to be more money, a lot more which is why I don't see any major change from the current format.

POSTED BY
on | November 8, 2012, 2:11 GMT

Looks like it is a must for every cricket board in each of the cricket playing countries after seeing the success of the IPL however I feel that too much of T20 may kill the sport itself. Therefore the T20 leagues in different countries should be spread in such a way that all leading players may be able to participate and at the same time keeping the interest going for the viewers since it is after all television advertisement revenue which plays a role on the revenue. I wish them all success.

POSTED BY
The_Ashes
on | November 7, 2012, 22:30 GMT

I even heard countries like USA and Canada plan to have 1 1 day ;)

POSTED BY
The_Ashes
on | November 7, 2012, 22:30 GMT

@Zad Khan:- You'd be surprised just how many ODI fans there are. Also the 50 over World Cup makes Cricket a great amount of revenue so I doubt that will ever happen
ever :P

POSTED BY
The_Ashes
on | November 7, 2012, 22:28 GMT

@Cpt.Meanster:- hehe you're very funny and very impressed that you stand by what you say despite the criticism. T20 Cricket yes may have revived and taken Cricket forward but Tests and ODIs are the ultimate games regardless how popular T20 is. I personally think all 3 formats are unique in their own way and has its advantages and disadvantages. In T20 the amount of workout these players put on is 10x or more than tests so that's one advantage but yeah what I'm trying to say that every format is unique and has its way.

POSTED BY
Alexk400
on | November 7, 2012, 21:50 GMT

I think it is a good thing because i want to see 1980s tall west indian spearheads. When ian bishop bowled at chest height at furious pace. That was testing time. Fast is one thing , fast at chest height at good length is something you don't want to face. Even some short bowlers malinga is good but its very rarity because tall bowlers needs less work to do. Above 6' 2" bowlers tend to breakdown because of weak joints.

POSTED BY
on | November 7, 2012, 21:26 GMT

How many of the top West Indian talent will actually be available for this then?

POSTED BY
on | November 7, 2012, 20:50 GMT

Great idea leaving t20 to being a franchise game. At the current rate it will make cricket more interesting and will bring the best players from over the world. Which will draw more spectators in which will be more money to domestic cricket

POSTED BY
on | November 7, 2012, 18:43 GMT

I can honestly see myself forgetting about West Indies Cricket!

POSTED BY
on | November 7, 2012, 18:30 GMT

The T20 You can't stop it . That's a truth . Its Money just like Football leagues.. in every country... ICC should do to remove ODI is not anymore that good for TV viewers... no one likes to Watch. and Only TEST & T20 remains. thats the only solution . Players will have time for Leagues and as well for the Country. Only T20 International and Domestic leagues....

POSTED BY
PratUSA
on | November 7, 2012, 17:10 GMT

What's this fascination with 'XYZ Premier League'? I am sure there are other ways to name a cricket tournament? In some ways calling T20 leagues as 'Premier League' will start to imply over time that T20 is the premier format. I mean why wouldn't a 2 or 3 year old of today would grow up thinking that?

POSTED BY
WindiesCity
on | November 7, 2012, 16:10 GMT

Toss a few matches into the US and you've got a winner.

POSTED BY
on | November 7, 2012, 15:35 GMT

Makes commercial sense to me. At the same time showcasing more talent. And yes compromise is the name of the game. Let's c how it goes.

POSTED BY
Cpt.Meanster
on | November 7, 2012, 15:26 GMT

All I can say is GOD BLESS T20 cricket !!!! Time to take retirement dear test cricket.

POSTED BY
Gurram
on | November 7, 2012, 14:54 GMT

I don't think football would have so much following with out leagues, same thing applies to any sport. Did EPL and other leagues prevent Spain from becoming world champions? What is wrong with more leagues in cricket? T20 is integral part of cricket now, with out these leagues and 3 hours of cricket, who would watch test cricket after 70-80 years from now?

POSTED BY
on | November 7, 2012, 14:42 GMT

One thing about this is that the rate of talent discovered that has been found over the years may not be found as much. Would a Sunil Narine have played for a Trinidad franchise instead of an internationally known bowler?

POSTED BY
Htc-Android
on | November 7, 2012, 14:04 GMT

why do WI need a t20 league. most of their players are natural hitters. they always play t20 leagues all around the world.

POSTED BY
Cricket_Critics
on | November 7, 2012, 13:01 GMT

Ummm Another one of those leagues! I guess IPL has had great influence ! Killing Cricket Leagues and more fatigue and injuries to good players its all about money and commercialistion. These leagues are only Business and not Sport anymore.

POSTED BY
CricketMaan
on | November 7, 2012, 11:49 GMT

Gr8, now all we need is to abolish T20 internationals and play it as a Franchise game. Makes commercial sense. Leave ODIs and Tests to International level and cut meanigless bilateral ODI series and unfair Test contests. World of Cricket will be a better place.

No featured comments at the moment.

POSTED BY
CricketMaan
on | November 7, 2012, 11:49 GMT

Gr8, now all we need is to abolish T20 internationals and play it as a Franchise game. Makes commercial sense. Leave ODIs and Tests to International level and cut meanigless bilateral ODI series and unfair Test contests. World of Cricket will be a better place.

POSTED BY
Cricket_Critics
on | November 7, 2012, 13:01 GMT

Ummm Another one of those leagues! I guess IPL has had great influence ! Killing Cricket Leagues and more fatigue and injuries to good players its all about money and commercialistion. These leagues are only Business and not Sport anymore.

POSTED BY
Htc-Android
on | November 7, 2012, 14:04 GMT

why do WI need a t20 league. most of their players are natural hitters. they always play t20 leagues all around the world.

POSTED BY
on | November 7, 2012, 14:42 GMT

One thing about this is that the rate of talent discovered that has been found over the years may not be found as much. Would a Sunil Narine have played for a Trinidad franchise instead of an internationally known bowler?

POSTED BY
Gurram
on | November 7, 2012, 14:54 GMT

I don't think football would have so much following with out leagues, same thing applies to any sport. Did EPL and other leagues prevent Spain from becoming world champions? What is wrong with more leagues in cricket? T20 is integral part of cricket now, with out these leagues and 3 hours of cricket, who would watch test cricket after 70-80 years from now?

POSTED BY
Cpt.Meanster
on | November 7, 2012, 15:26 GMT

All I can say is GOD BLESS T20 cricket !!!! Time to take retirement dear test cricket.

POSTED BY
on | November 7, 2012, 15:35 GMT

Makes commercial sense to me. At the same time showcasing more talent. And yes compromise is the name of the game. Let's c how it goes.

POSTED BY
WindiesCity
on | November 7, 2012, 16:10 GMT

Toss a few matches into the US and you've got a winner.

POSTED BY
PratUSA
on | November 7, 2012, 17:10 GMT

What's this fascination with 'XYZ Premier League'? I am sure there are other ways to name a cricket tournament? In some ways calling T20 leagues as 'Premier League' will start to imply over time that T20 is the premier format. I mean why wouldn't a 2 or 3 year old of today would grow up thinking that?

POSTED BY
on | November 7, 2012, 18:30 GMT

The T20 You can't stop it . That's a truth . Its Money just like Football leagues.. in every country... ICC should do to remove ODI is not anymore that good for TV viewers... no one likes to Watch. and Only TEST & T20 remains. thats the only solution . Players will have time for Leagues and as well for the Country. Only T20 International and Domestic leagues....